Candidates Agree On Most Issues Harhart, Rohn Of Like Mind On Taxes, Death Penalty, Speed Limit

April 21, 1994|by DAN FRICKER, The Morning Call

State House candidates Julie Harhart and Forrest Rohn said last night they favor reducing the state's corporate income tax, enforcing the death penalty, raising the top speed limit to 65 mph and selling the state liquor stores.

And they said they oppose gun control.

Harhart and Rohn, the Republican candidates in the 183rd legislative district, came to debate at the Channel 39, WLVT-TV, studio.

Instead, they appeared to agree on many of the issues.

The only substantive issue on which they disagreed was term limits. Rohn said he opposes them. Harhart said she supports limiting state representatives, perhaps, to eight years in office.

And so it was as Harhart and Rohn sought to win the votes of Republicans in the far-flung district that covers eight municipalities in Lehigh and Northampton counties and most of a ninth municipality. The debate will air at 10:30 p.m. April 30.

Sitting at a table draped in blue, Rohn and Harhart said they support vouchers for public schools, but not for private or parochial schools.

"The money should follow the children," Rohn said. But "not the parochial or private schools. That's not what the Constitution of our Commonwealth says."

Harhart said parents should be able to choose the public school that best serves their child's needs.

Harhart, the former tax collector in North Catasauqua, and Rohn, a Whitehall Township resident and shoe store manager, said they favor reducing the state's corporate income tax as a way of creating jobs.

Harhart said the tax should be competitive with neighboring states. She said she also supports reforming the state Workers Compensation Act and studying all state mandates on business.

Rohn said the corporate income tax is almost punitive. He also said the cost of Workers Compensation to business has doubled or tripled in recent years.

Rohn and Harhart said they favor raising the speed limit on highways to 65 mph.

Rohn said cars are sufficiently safe for the higher speed and it would help the trucking industry.

"I see no problem with that," said Harhart. "I think we drive that anyway. Why not make it legal?"

Both said they oppose gun control.

Harhart said criminals belong to a subculture that always will find ways to get guns. But she said she supports medical examinations and background checks as prerequisites to buying a gun.

Rohn said the assault weapons that Gov. Robert P. Casey proposes banning account for only two in 1,000 firearm deaths. He said the state needs to make criminals fear breaking the law by enforcing the death penalty and building prisons so repeat offenders can be imprisoned without parole.

To reduce real estate taxes, Harhart said the state should give municipalities and school district the power to levy alternative taxes. Rohn said the state should remove all unfunded mandates on school districts, which usually levy the highest taxes.

Rohn said the state should sell its liquor stores to private dealers. He said "the gloom and doom" that state store proponents predict if the stores are sold "just doesn't exist in other states."

Harhart said getting the state out of the liquor store business would be "OK. I'm for less government. I don't like it when the state has its hands in everything."

Rohn said he opposes term limits.

"I know it sounds strange for a Republican, let alone for someone who is an avowed conservative," he said. "But I believe in republican democracy and that means that the people have the opportunity every two years for term limits."

Harhart said she favors term limits. She said state representatives perhaps should be allowed to serve no more than eight years or four terms.

The district covers Northampton, North Catasauqua, Walnutport, Allen Township and Lehigh Township in Northampton County and Coplay, Slatington, Washington Township and most of Whitehall Township in Lehigh County.